Waiting

Frazer, the tree, is dressed to the nines, the poinsettia create a carpet of velvety leafs in the lounge, and cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves scent the backdrop for cheesy warbling by Buble and The Pogues. Yep, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's Advent. The season of waiting.

It's funny how we all have a heightened sense of expectation in the run up to Christmas. We're getting ready to see family and all the unique dynamics that can bring! We're hopeful that we give and get just the right presents. The food mountain stacks up just in case we have one hour without eating over the holidays.

Each day we indulge in the thrill of opening the Advent Calender - which is more about the morsel of chocolate than the knowledge that we're one day closer to Christmas. I don't know about you, but I'm so easily distracted - waiting for this, hoping for that, desiring the other...
It's a challenge to keep perspective and to keep the main thing, the main thing.

I have family and friends to buy presents for. I've a home, clothes on my back and more than ample food on the table. I am blessed to feel love, acceptance and belonging because I'm me not because of what I do, what I've achieved, how much money I have, who I know. What else could I want?

Globally, 2011 has not been an easy year. Social revolution, continued and newly started wars, economic devastation in the wake of affluent extravagance; this year ends with so many without safety, shelter, health, food, belonging, love. In the 'rich' West more people will be availing of charitable donations of food than before and homeless shelters bulge at the seams.

Our church meets in a homeless shelter for men. I was watching a couple of the men praying the other night and God showed me my own life and heart. I lack no good thing. But these two precious men have no home, little money, fractured families, few friends. Knowing a little of the stories of men in the shelter, it is but for the grace of God go I.

Yet, you'd think all I have was by my own acquisition and keeping it was thanks solely to my own stewardship - so I get to judge who is worthy, deserving of my charity. That's a great untruth. We're all supposed to be in this adventure called life together. We're not lone rangers, we're made for each other.

What would happen if one who has much were to give gladly to one who has little, no strings or conditions attached? What would that do to the economics of safety, shelter, health, food, belonging, and love?

Advent is a waiting for Christmas - the great gift comes, Emmanuel, God with us. Christ sets himself aside and becomes a man. He holds nothing back. Those of us who seek to follow of Jesus are called to do the same. We must set ourselves aside, enter into the life of the other, and hold nothing back.

Our waiting will soon be over. Christmas will come and with it the celebration of life dramatically changed by the arrival of the Christ-child. Let's not leave the aching, weeping world waiting for another year to see Jesus.